The High Court in Suva has sentenced a man to nearly 14 years in prison for numerous counts of sexual assault and rape. The defendant appeared before Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu on Wednesday. He was found guilty of three counts of sexual assault and two counts of rape, violating the Crimes Act 2009.
The charges stem from incidents that occurred between June and December 2020 in Naikawaga Village, Tailevu, where he allegedly committed unlawful and indecent acts against the victim. Additionally, between January and December 2018, he reportedly penetrated the victim without her consent. The court noted that the man pleaded guilty to all five charges.
Justice Bulamainaivalu established a non-parole period of 12 years for the case, referencing the Sentencing and Penalties Act 2009 and a related Supreme Court ruling. The convicted man has 30 days to file an appeal against the sentence.